looking for the best hatchet?

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What for? Different hatchets for different jobs. For general use, you can't go wrong with Gransfors or Fiskars. If you need something nice and light for camping, I love the Gerber Gator Axe 2 combo (not actually an axe).

I have a Fiskars axe as noted above and it's great. The composite handle is incredibly strong and light. The weight is in the head so it's easy to bring down. If I was looking for a hatchet I'd definitely look at Fiskars.

Wetterlings seems to be the best globally available hatchets and axes for the price. Gransfors-bruks are at least as good, but cost more. Both these are heavy, hand-forged, pro-grade tools you can hand down to your grandchildren. Heavy is good in a splitting and/or hewing tool.

If you want an extremely lightweight hatchet for camping or casual use, I recommend Fiskars. They weigh a fraction of what a proper smithed axe weighs, and will do the job for you (although probably not for your grandkids).

Wayne, do yourself a favor and checkout the Estwing line. They are all steel and can be sharpened to near shaving sharpness. I have several of the other brands mentioned above, but the Estwing is the one that I reach for most of the time.

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